| At a time when terrorist attacks and foreign policy are at the forefront
of American politics, Congress recessed not having passed important intelligence
reform legislation in compliance with the bipartisan 9-11 Commission Report.
On October 14, the chairman of the commission warned that Congress was
moving too slowly to negotiate a compromise between competing intelligence
reform proposals. Just days ago, the principal advocacy group for
the families of victims of the September 11 attacks urged President Bush
and House Republicans to enact the recommendations set forth by the 9-11
Commission. Both the House and the Senate have passed bills creating a
national intelligence director and a counterterrorism center. We
are now facing a partisan struggle over the budgetary authority of the
new director and the inclusion of controversial immigration policy provisions.
Congress must do everything in its power to ensure our intelligence
agencies and first responders have the information necessary to protect
America and its citizens. We have an opportunity to make great changes,
but with opportunity comes responsibility. This Congress has failed
to pass a budget. We have yet to enact an energy plan or pass vital transportation
reauthorization. This divided Congress has neglected to pass 9 of
the 13 bills that fund our government agencies. And now we find ourselves
in yet another partisan argument regarding our nation’s intelligence.
I am disappointed by all the partisan bickering. With the election
behind us I hope others in Congress will join me in looking at an issue,
not based on whether it is a Republican or Democratic idea, but rather
whether it makes sense for the people that send us to our nation's capitol
to represent them. If our intelligence agencies and first responders are
to be expected to protect our borders and prevent attacks on our soil to
the best of their ability, Congress must make intelligence reform a priority
when we return to our nation’s capital. |
